Metro Digest

Local News in Brief : Transient Dies in Fire

A transient who crawled into a parked trailer rig to get out of the cold died early Tuesday when a small fire started at the back of the truck in downtown Los Angeles, blocking his way out, authorities said.

The unidentified victim, a man in his 30s, died of apparent smoke inhalation, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Ron Sullivan said.

The man had crawled into the rear portion of a parked truck and trailer rig in a lot at 14th and Alameda streets, Sullivan said. Firefighters were called to the lot at 3:12 a.m. and quickly put out a small fire apparently started by a portable heater.